Bossa Rio

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Bossa Rio Sextet

Years active

1962–1970

Genres

bossa nova, brazilian jazz, instrumental MPB

Instruments

double bass, drums, trombone, tenor saxophone, piano, organ, vocals

Biography

Bossa Rio was a Brazilian musical group that emerged on the bossa nova scene in the early 1960s. Originally formed as a sextet led by Sérgio Mendes, the group consisted of talented musicians such as Tião Neto on double bass, Edison Machado on drums, Raul de Souza and Edson Maciel on trombones, and Hector Costita and Aurino Ferreira on tenor saxophones. The group stood out for its instrumental performances and its association with Sérgio Mendes, with whom they played and recorded.

The group had notable participations, such as at the 1962 Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York. They released the LP "Você ainda não ouviu nada" in 1963, featuring arrangements by Tom Jobim, which is considered a classic of instrumental bossa nova. In 1964, they recorded the LP "Cannonballs Bossa Nova" with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley. Later, in 1969, a new lineup of Bossa Rio, with Gracinha Leporace as lead vocalist, released a self-titled album on A&M Records, produced by Sérgio Mendes.

The trajectory of Bossa Rio is intertwined with the evolution of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz. Vocalist Gracinha Leporace, following the group's dissolution in 1970, joined the renowned Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66, continuing her successful career. Bossa Rio's influence on Brazilian instrumental music is undeniable, with musicians who became references on their respective instruments.